Old college dorm to be turned into migrant shelter in the Bronx

RIVERDALE, The Bronx (PIX11) -- In an effort to address the ongoing migrant crisis, New York City leaders are turning an old student dorm into a sanctuary shelter in the Bronx.

Overlook Manor, which sits at 435 West 238th St, will shelter families with children starting this month, according to Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz. In a statement on Friday, Dinowitz announced the Department of Homeless Services will oversee the site through a third-party provider called Westhab. The department is already in the process of furnishing the 95 rooms available for incoming families.

The building was originally constructed in the 1960’s to be apartments before it was sold to Manhattan College. Overlook Manor was then used as an off-campus dorm for many years until Manhattan College sold it to Stagg Group in May 2023. The agency specializes in building and providing affordable housing in the Bronx and Westchester. 

“The city gave our office one day's notice that people and furniture would start to move in August. Regardless of whether you think this is a reasonable and appropriate use of this location, the city's lack of transparency is appalling,” said Assemblymember Dinowitz in his statement.

Dinowitz advocated for Overlook Manor to be turned into permanent affordable housing after it was sold off by the college. Although he criticized the city for giving him one day’s notice by text message that the building would be converted into a shelter, Dinowitz is still calling on local leaders to outline their plan for transiting migrants into the community. In his statement, he emphasized the need for security and social services in the building as well as additional bilingual staff available at nearby schools.

“...it is essential to remember that the people moving in are families with children, and they should not be denigrated but supported in every way we can,” Dinowitz said.

The city’s move to turn Overlook Manor into a migrant shelter comes after multiple community protests against shelters planned for Bensonhurst, Clinton Hill, and Williamsburg.